Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

Merrill Edge Racks Up Awards for Digital Offerings

Merrill Edge Racks Up Awards for Digital Offerings

Merrill Edge is an investment service providing consumers access to the investment advice of Merrill Lynch alongside the convenience of Bank of America banking solutions. Recently, Bank of America announced that its Merrill Edge online brokerage has received several awards in Corporate Insight’s 2016 e-Monitor Awards Report. These include: •    Two Gold Monitor Awards•    Three Silver Monitor Awards Along with recognizing the company’s digital offerings, these awards show that the company continues to offer both value...

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What to Do If There's an Error on Your Credit Card Bill

What to Do If There's an Error on Your Credit Card Bill

One of the most important reasons to check your credit card statement is so you can spot billing errors and handle them quickly. You don’t want to pay for charges you never made and if you wait too late to contact your credit card issuer about the error, you may not be able to have it removed. The good news is, you can’t typically sort out billing errors with your credit card issuer rather than having...

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The Worst Ways to Use a Rewards Credit Card

The Worst Ways to Use a Rewards Credit Card

Rewards credit card are among the best types of credit cards to have. If you use your credit card the right way, you’ll receive rewards simply for purchasing things you might have purchased anyway. However, there are some unwise ways to use rewards cards that will make it harder for you to earn rewards or reduce the value of the rewards you do earn. For a balance transfer. You may find rewards credit cards that offer...

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Credit Card Reward Points: When Should You Use Them?

Credit Card Reward Points: When Should You Use Them?

Carrying a rewards credit card is beneficial for a number of reasons, including the fact that you can earn points for almost every purchase you make. However, this does lead you to a very important question: when is the right time to use these points? Since everyone is in a different position, there is no right or wrong answer. There are consumers who never let their points accumulate for too long. And of course, there are...

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Do You Really Need That Gap Insurance Policy? Yes, but... (what the dealership doesn’t want you to know)

Do You Really Need That Gap Insurance Policy? Yes, but... (what the dealership doesn’t want you to know)

So you finally found your dream car (or something close to it that you can afford). You’ve done your homework and you’re pretty sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row. You took the test drive, shopped around for a fair price, got approved for a loan with terms you can live with and a budget friendly interest rate, and you’ve made arrangements to get the right kind of insurance coverage. Ready to sign the...

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Can You Trust Free Credit Scores?

Can You Trust Free Credit Scores?

The number of places offering free credit scores has increased substantially over the years. It’s easier than ever to get a truly free credit score – that is, one that doesn’t ask you for a credit card number and covertly sign you up for a trial subscription that has to be cancelled. If you use one of these free credit score services or you’re thinking about using one, you might wonder how much can you trust...

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Is that Credit Card Right for me?

Is that Credit Card Right for me?

Applying for a credit card is a big financial decision. This is why you need to answer all the right questions before moving forward. Of all the questions on your mind, here is the most important: is that credit card right for me? Unless you can answer this question with confidence, you’ll never know what you’re getting until the plastic is actually in your hands. Although no two consumers are the same, there are a few...

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Basic Benefits of a Credit Union

Basic Benefits of a Credit Union

Have you ever found yourself comparing a local credit union to a local bank? If so, you have come to realize that there are benefits of doing business with both. Even so, some people continue to ignore the advantages of a credit union because they are unfamiliar with what this type of financial institution can do for them. Below are three of the most basic benefits of a credit union. These may not be enough for...

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Want a Mortgage Loan Modification? Do These Things

Want a Mortgage Loan Modification? Do These Things

Are you facing challenges when it comes to making your mortgage payment in full and on time every month? Are you ready to make a change for the better? If you’re interested in remaining in your home, it may be time to discuss a mortgage loan modification with your lender. This may sound like a long shot, but remember this: your lender doesn’t want you to face financial struggles. Instead, they would much rather you make...

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How to Negotiate the Price of Appliances

How to Negotiate the Price of Appliances

If you find yourself in the market for new appliances, you may be surprised at two things: the selection and the cost. On the plus side, there are a variety of models to choose from. Conversely, it seems that the cost of appliances continues to rise with each passing year. No matter what you think about the price, it’s good practice to negotiate with the store before making a purchase. This is easier said than done,...

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